absence of the young king; and prevented
the discontents of the commons of Castile, too justly incensed against
the Flemish Ministers, who governed their prince and rapaciously pillaged
their country, from breaking out during my life into open rebellion, as
they did, most unhappily, soon after my death. These were my civil acts;
but, to complete the renown of my administration, I added to it the palm
of military glory. At my own charges, and myself commanding the army, I
conquered Oran from the Moors, and annexed it, with its territory, to the
Spanish dominions.

_Wolsey_.--My soul was as elevated and noble as yours, my understanding
as strong, and more refined; but the difference of our conduct arose from
the difference of our objects. To raise your reputation and secure your
power in Castile, by making that kingdom as happy and as great as you
could, was your object. Mine was to procure the Triple Crown for myself
by the assistance of my sovereign and of the greatest foreign Powers.
Each of us took the means that were evidently most proper to the
accomplishment of his ends.

_Ximenes_.--Can you confess such a principle of your conduct without a
blush? But you will at least be ashamed that you failed in your purpose,
and were the dupe of the Powers with whom you negotiated, after having
dishonoured the character of your master in order to serve your own
ambition. I accomplished my desire with glory to my sovereign and
advantage to my country. Besides this difference, there was a great one
in the methods by which we acquired our power. We both owed it, indeed,
to the favour of princes; but I gained Isabella's by the opinion she had
of my piety and integrity. You gained Henry's by a complaisance and
course of life which were a reproach to your character and sacred orders.

_Wolsey_.--I did not, as you, Ximenes, did, carry with me to Court the
austerity of a monk; nor, if I had done so, could I possibly have gained
any influence there. Isabella and Henry were different characters, and
their favour was to be sought in different ways. By making myself
agreeable to the latter, I so governed his passions, unruly as they were,
that while I lived they did not produce any of those dreadful effects
which after my death were caused by them in his family and kingdom.

_Ximenes_.--If Henry VIII., your master, had been King of Castile, I
would never have been drawn by him out of my cloister. A man of virtue
and spirit